Flask-charging apparatus



F. J. STEPHENSON. FLASK CHARGING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED JUNE28.1921.

1,%37,382., Patented Nov. 28, 1922 3 SHEETS-SHEET I. 4.5 45 A f v 11 40F E0 P5 a7 BE 118 g I E's NVENTQR F. LI.STEPHENSON F. J. STEPHENSON.

FLASK CHARGING APPARATUS. APPLICATION- FILED JUNE 28,1921- 1A37,382.Patented Nov. 28,1922

1 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

i IKVENTQR FLLSTEPHENSON -RTTORNEY,

F. J. STEPHENSON. FLASK CHARGING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 28,I921.

Patented Nov. 2 8, 1922.

NnN

INYENTOR FUSTEPH ENSON ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 28, 1922.

rrsnr FRANK J. STEPHENSON, F ROYEBSFORD, PENNSYLVANIA.

FLASK-GHARGING APPARATUS.

Application filer]. June 28, 1921. Serial No. 481,023.

which the following is a specification, ref-.

erence' being had therein to the accompanyin drawing.

The present invention relates to appara tus. for charging molding flaskswith sand or mold-material under pressure, and aims to provide a noveland improved apparatus of that character which is comparatively simplein construction and operation, as well as practical and efiicient inuse.

Anotherobject is the provision of novel means for projecting the sand ormaterial at a high velocity into the flask, in order to pack the sand inthe flask, and to provide for the, convenient and rapid filling andpacking of the flask with the material.

A further object is the provision of a jointed or flexible armsupporting the sand projecting means, for the movement of said means todifferent positions, and ofsuch construction as to supply the projectingmeans with sand through the arm.

A still further object is the provision of novel means for bracing thearm against depression under the weight imposed thereon.

The invention also has for its object the.

im rovement of the construction in its detai s and arrangement ofparts,to enhance the utility and efficiency of the apparatus. With theforegoing and other objects 111 view, which will be understood as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in the construction andarrangement of parts, as hereinafter described and claimed, it beingunderstood that changes can be made within the scope of what is claimed,with outcdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical section of the apparatus taken substantially onthe line 1--1 of Fig, 2, portions being shown in elevation.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the apparatus. Fig. 3 is a fragmentaryvertlcal section of a modified form of apparatus.

In the embodiment of the machine as H shown, a 19161310131117 issupported from up wardly-converging posts or supports 8, and a hopper orbin 9 for the sand or mold material is mounted on said platform, and issupplied with sand from an elevator 10. The hopper 9 has a trough 11 atthe bottom thereof witha discharge spout 12 depending through theplatform 7. A conveyor worm or. helix 13 works within the trough 1.1 andis carried by ashaft 14 extending longitudinally within the trough, forfeeding the sand to the discharge spout 12 from whichit drops bygravity. As shown, the shaft 1a is connected at one end to an electriomotor 15 mounted on the platform 7 to operate the worm 13. i

A jointed arm is connected to the spout 12 of the hopper, and includesan inner horizontal tubular section 16 provided at its inner end with anupturned receiving neck 17 swivelled for turning movement in the spout12, in order thatthe section 16 can be swung about a vertical axis' Theswivel connection, as shown, includes an annular outstanding flange 18in the neck 17disposed within the spout 12 and seated on anti-frictionalballs 19 which travel on an annular ball race and retaining collar orring 20 engaged within the lower end of the spout 12. The arm section 16is thus suspended for swinging movement in a horizontal plane, and apacking ring 21 is preferably disposed between the flange 18 andshoulder of the spout 12, to prevent leakage of sand out between thespout 12 and neck 17. The section 16 has a depending discharge spout 22at its outer end.

In order to feed or move the sand outwardly in the section 16 from thereceiving neck 17 thereof to the discharge spout 22, a conveyor worm orhelix 28 is disposed in said section, and is mounted on a'longitudinalshaft 24 journaled through the opposite ends of said section. As shown,one end of the shaft 2 1 is connected to an electric motor 25, fordriving said worm 23, and the motor is mounted on a shelf 26 supportedfrom the section 16. i

The jointed arm includes an outer tubular horizontal section 27 providedat one end with an upstanding or upturned receiving neck 28 which isswivelled for turning movement in the spout 22 in thesame manner thatthe neck 17 is swivelled in the spout 12. Thus, the neck 28 has a flange29 seated on anti-frictional balls 30 which travel on collar or ring 31secured within the spout 22, and a packing ring 21' is disposed betweenthe flange 29 and shoulder of the spout 22. In this manner, the section16 of the arm can not only be swung about the vertical axis of thehopper spout 12, but the section 27 can be swung in a horizontal planearound the vertical axis of the spout 22, to move the free -end portionof the arm to different positions within the reach of said arm. Thesection 27 has a depending discharge spout or lower outlet 32 at itsfree end, and the material is fed or moved outwardly in the section 27by means of a conveyor worm or helix 33 carried by a longitudinal shaft34 journaled through the opposite ends of the section 27. The worm 33feeds the sand from the receiving end of the section 27 to the dischargespout or opening 32.

The sand projecting means includes a rotary spout 35 below the spout oroutlet 32 of the jointed arm, and, as shown, the spout or shell 35 istapered downwardly whereby the stream of sand is concentrated, to reducethe spreading of the sand to a minimum. The spont 35 is provided thereinwith a pro- ;jecting helix 36, which can have one or more bladesaccording to the requirements, said helix and spout being fastenedtogether or integral, and the helix being. secured on a vertical shaft37 which is journaled through the top of the section 27 above the spoutor outlet 32. The upper end of the spout 35 can-be offset or fianged, asat 33, to surround the spout 32.

The driving means for the projecting helix 36, as shown, includes anelectric motor 39 above the section 27 of the arm to which the upper endof the shaft 37 is connected, thus providing a direct drive for thehelix 36. Furthermore, the outer end of'the shaft '34 can also beconnected with the motor by suitable nection.

As a means for supporting the jointed arm against sagging under theweight of the arm, sand, and parts carried by the arm, a jointed bracingdevice is employed. Such device includes a post 41 secured to and.rising from the section 16 of the arm near the outer end thereof andcoaxial with the spout 22 and neck 23, and an inclined brace 42 has itslower end portion engaging the post 41 near the upper end of said post,and the upper end portion of the brace 42 is engaged over a pivot stud.43 rising from a cap piece 44 secured on the upper ends of the posts 8.Suitable retaining means 45 is engaged on the stud 43 to hold the brace42 thereon. An outer inclined brace 46 has its upper end engaged overthe upper end of the post 41, and a nut 47 or other means gears 40 orother operative conis also engaged on the upper end of said post overthe braces 46 and 42, while the lower end of the brace 46 is secured, asat 48, to the arm section 27. The post 41 is thus supported by the brace42, which in turn supports the section 16 of the arm, while the brace 46is supported from the post 41 and brace 42, thereby supporting the armsection 27, and said braces 42 and 46 can turn or swing with the armsections 16 and 27, respectively. The brace 46, as shown, has a portion49 to which the motor 39 is secured, and brackets 50 can also be securedto the opposite sides of the section 27 and motor 39 to assist inholding said motor in place. It is preferable to provide anti-frictionalballs 51 between the adjacent ends of the braces 42 and 46 and alsobetween the brace 42 and cap piece 44, to permit the braces to turnfreely, as well as the sections of the arm.

Although the conveyor worms 13, 23 and 33 are independentlymotor-driven, they can be operated by other means, as will be apparent,for conveying the sand to the spouts 12, 22, and 32 in succession fromthe hopper or bin through the arm.

In using the apparatus for charging a flask 52 with sand or othermold-material, the flask is brougt to a position, either on a truck orotherwise, where the projecting means can be brought above the hash, itbeing noted that the jointed arm permits such means to be moved aboutwith considerable latitude. The worms "13, '23 and 33 will convey thesand to the spout 12, through the arm section 16-to the spout'22 andthrough the arm section 27 tothe spout or outlet 32, in succession,thereby automatically supplying the sand or material through the jointedarm which supports the projecting means. The projecting helix 36 andspout 35 being rotated at a high velocity, will project the sanddownwardly with considerable force, so that the sand willbe packed inthe flask 52 under the desired pressure. The spout or nozzle 35 willconcentrate the sand in a stream, and as the sand drops from the spoutor outlet32 into the spout or nozzle 35, theaction of the helix '36 willimpart a rapid accelerated velocity to the sand in its downward movementthrough the spout or nozzle'35. The tapered form of the spout willcounteract the centrifugal force, to avoid the spreading of the streamof sand when leaving the spout or nozzle 35.

Fig. shows some variations. In this form, the spout 35 is cylindricaland the helix 36 is of similar outline, and the motor 39 is mounted onthe arm section 27 and is connected by bevel gears 40 with the upper endof the shaft 37, whereby to rotate the helix 36 at a high velocitygreater than the speed of the motor.

The conveyor worm 33 is also driven from the motor 25 of the worm 23.Thus, a pulley wheel 54 is secured on the inner end of the shaft 3A anda belt 55 passes around double pulley wheel 57 supported for rotationfrom the section 27 below the same and in the axis of the joint betweenthe sections 16 and 27. A belt 58 passes around the pulley 57 and ,pastidler pulleys 59 supported by a hanger suspended from the shelf 26, andsaid belt passes over a pulley wheel 61 secured on the shaft 24. Thepulley wheel 57 is thus driven from the motor 25 in any angular positionof the arm section 27, and the power is transmitted by the belt 55 tothe shaft 34:. This provides a flexible operative connection between theshafts 24 and 34, permitting the sections of the arms to swingrelatively to one another without interfering with the transmission ofpower.

A sand-directing funnel or guide 62 is suspended from a hanger orbracket 63 from the section 27 with its upper large end surrounding thespout 85 and its lower smaller end directed downwardly. One or morevertical or longitudinal baffle plates or partitions 64: can be providedin the funnel 62. The function of the funnel is to direct the sanddownwardly in a stream without spreading objectionably. Thus, the funnelbeing tapered downwardly will not only direct the sand down in a smallstream from the spout, but, furthermore, the plate or baffle 64 willprevent the whirling or rotation of the sand when passing from thefunnel, inasmuch as said baffle or partition will stop the whirlingmotion of the sand while passing through the funnel.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1.. Aflask charging apparatus having a discharge portion with a helixrotatable at a high speed for projecting the sand to a distance fromsaid portion at a high velocity, and a funnel through which the sand isprojected for counteractingthe tendency for the sand to be scattered.

2. A flask charging apparatus having a discharge spout and a helixtherein rotatable at a high speed for projecting the sand to a distancefrom the spout at a high velocity, and a funnel through which the sandis projected from said spout for counteractingthe tendency for the sandto be scattered and formed with means tending to prevent the whirlingmotion of the sand.

3. A flash charging apparatus having a rotatable discharge spout and ahelix therein for projecting the sand at a high velocity from the spout.

4:. A flask charging apparatus having a discharge portion, a verticalshaft with its lower terminal at said. discharge portion, means carriedby the lower terminal of said shaft to be rotated at a high speed forprojecting the sand downwardly to a distance from said discharge portionat a high velocity, and a funnel associated with said means throughwhich the sand is projected for counteracting the tendency for the sandto be scattered.

5. A dash charging apparatus having a discharge portion, a verticalshaft with its lower terminal at said discharge portion, a helix carriedby the lower terminal of said shaft to be rotated at. a high speed forprojecting the sand downwardly to a distance from said dischargeportionat a high velocity, and a funnel associated with said helix throughwhich the sand is projected by the helix for counteracting the tendencyfor the sand to be scattered.

6. A flask charging apparatus having a discharge portion, a verticalshaft with its lower terminal at said discharge portion, a helix carriedby the lower terminal of said shaft for projecting the sand downwardlyat a high velocity, and a spout surrounding and carried by the helix.

7. A flask charging apparatus having means for supplying sand providedwith an outlet, 21 spout extending from said outlet, means within thespout for projecting the sand downwardly at a high velocity to a distance from the spout, and a funnel below said spout through which thesand is projected for counteracting the tendency for the sand to bescattered.

8. A dash charging apparatus having means for supplying sand providedwith an outlet, a spout depending from said outlet, a helix within thespout rotatable at a high speed for projecting the sand downwardly at ahigh velocity to a distance from the spout, and a funnel below saidspout through which the sand is projected for counteracting the tendencyfor the sand to be scattered and formed with means therein tending toprevent the whirling motion of sand.

9. A iiasl: charging apparatus having means for supplying sand providedwith an outlet, a rotatable spout depending from said outl t, and ahelix within and rotatable with said spout for projecting the sanddownwardly at a high velocity.

10. A flask charging apparatus including a tubular arm extendingsubstantially horizontally and having a lower sand outlet, a verticalshaft extending through said outlet, means above said arm for rotatingsaid shaft, a helix carried by the shaft below said outlet, and a spoutsurrounding and carried by the helix and cooperating therewith fordirecting the sand downwardly.

11. A flask charging apparatus including an. arm supported for swingingmovement the,

and having tubular sections connected by a swivel joint through whichthe sections communicate with one another, sand projecting means carriedby the free section of said arm to be supplied with sand through saidsections, and sand feeding means working within said tubular sectionsfor feedin the sand in said sections from one section to the other tosaid projecting means.

12. A fiask charging apparatus including a sand bin, an arm havingtubular ections with a swivel joint through which the sectionscommunicate with one another, one section of said arm having a swiveljoint with said bin for the swinging movement of the arm and to receivesand from said bin, sand projecting means carried by the other sectionof the arm, and sand feeding means working within said sections of thearm for feeding the sand from the bin to said proj ecting means.

13. A flask charging apparatus including a jointed arm, sand projectingmeans supported by said arm for movement to difi'erent positions, and ajointed bracing means for said arm having hingedly connected bracessupported one from the other and mounted to swing with and support saidarm.

14. A flask charging apparatus including a jointed arm having sectionsmounted for swinging movement, sand projecting means supported from saidarms for movement to different positions, and a jointed bracing meansfor said arm including hingedly connected braces supported one from theother and mounted to swing with and support the sections of the arm.

15. A flask charging apparatusineluding an arm mounted forswingingmovement in a substantially horizontal plane and having sectionsconnected by a swivel joint, sand projecting means carried by the.ireesection of said arm, a post carried by one .section of the armcoaxial with said .joint, .a brace secured to the free section ofsaidarm and engaging said post, and another brace supported for swingingmovement with the other section of the arm and also engaging said post.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature. I v

FRANK J. STEPHENSON.

